Part 1 - California to Arkansas
First Day - Monterey to Lake Tahoe Sept 13, 2026
Day 2, Sept 14, 2026 Lake Tahoe
Day 3, Sept 15, 2026 Tahoe to Park City Utah
Well, that plan didn't quite survive. Lake Tahoe traffic was caught in a gridlock of horrific construction all the way out of the mountains. Once I finally cleared the peaks, I hit a long stretch of highway where civilization is few and far between. Finding a bathroom became my number one priority—I had already mapped out potential gas stops, rest areas, and walking spots, but the miles were long. Desperate to eat something, I tried to quickly slam down my yogurt at a gas station along the way. Of course, it spilled, leading to a small, sticky disaster in the car. Ha! But at least I got a few bites down.
Food proved to be a bit of a moving target all day. I ended up relying on crackers, cheese, and water packed away in my little ice chest. The dry air kept inducing a relentless thirst, which only made my quest for restrooms all the more urgent—definitely the running theme of the day!
On the other hand, driving on Highway 50—"The Loneliest Highway in America"—was completely awe-inspiring. I absolutely relished every single moment of the profound quiet and striking desert beauty.
By the time I finally rolled into Park City at 9:30 PM, I had weathered a whole lot of intimidating truck traffic in the "Mini Bitchy." Finding the right hotel entrance in the dark when I was already exhausted tested my last reserves of patience, but I still managed to squeeze in a few extra steps hauling my bags inside.
Dinner was a desperate traveler's dream: I spotted someone buying ice cream at the front desk, and immediately decided a half-container of vanilla ice cream was the only appropriate meal to cap off the day. (Honestly, it made me feel a million times better.) I took a quick stretch walk around the hotel before finally hitting the pillow.
Steps for 9/15: 9,191 3.18 miles
A quick note on gas prices: they didn't vary wildly from state to state, hovering mostly around $4.60 a gallon (though they dipped just a bit lower as I reached the middle of the country). Prices fluctuated up and down, but it hardly mattered—that glorious little car got the best gas mileage ever!
As a junk journal beginner, I knew consistency would be a challenge. I was usually beat by the time evening rolled around, but I stubbornly stuck with it, capturing the day's memories right before bed.
Day 4 and 5, Sept, 16 and 17, 2026- Park City Utah to Denver, Colorado
I got up early in the morning and took a walk near my hotel. I stayed at the Best Western Plus Landmark Inn—it was a very nice stay with a comfy room and a great staff. The first thing I noticed was how beautiful the surrounding countryside was. I walked up to the Utah Olympic Park, originally constructed for the 2002 Winter Olympics to host bobsled, skeleton, luge, ski jumping, and Nordic combined events.
Afterward, I drove down and parked near Park City Main Street. I wandered around, soaked in the whimsical feel of the local art, and took pictures. For breakfast, I had a quiche at Java Cow Coffee and Ice Cream, eating right next to a giant cow statue! I also stopped by a very cool spot, Dolly's Bookstore, where I picked up a couple of books for my great-niece and nephew. I’d be seeing them in a couple of days when I picked up my daughter in Little Rock to head to New York with me.
Google Maps and I had a small mishap right as I arrived, somehow getting twisted up in the neighborhood right next to hers. She had to come rescue me, and boy, was I happy to finally reach their house! Later, my nephew Zach and I took a walk around the neighborhood and caught up on each other's lives.
The guest room was wonderfully comfortable, complete with my own bath and family right around me. I was greeted by Klaus, their dog, who I seem to be slowly growing on. A true 5-star evening!
Sept 16 Steps - 11,953 4.71 miles
The morning of the 17th, I took a lovely walk near her home with my sister, Patti, and Klaus (her German Shepherd). She cooked me a delicious over-easy egg and warm toast. This stop completely regenerated me, filled my tank with family love, and got me rested up again.
Later, Patti and I took a great drive up the mountain, stopping at Natural Grocers to grab some of my favorite Noosa (or Noor) yogurt—YUM! There was also a very cool walk in Lyons, Colorado. We went to lunch with both of my nephews, Zach and Shea, at Pepper's Fireside Restaurant and enjoyed some delicious fish tacos. Shea even gave me the cutest little glass animals to add to my fairy portals (which are available on my
That evening, Patti, her husband Ron, Zach, and I took a walk at the Gulch in Longmont, one of our favorite spots. What a pretty sunset!
The visit with my sister helped revive me; she took such good care of me.
Sept 17 Steps - 19,608 — My sister and family definitely helped get my steps in! 5.72 miles
Day 6, Sept 18, 2026 - Denver, Colorado to Wichita, Kansas
I started the morning with one last neighborhood walk with Patti and Klaus. After a wonderful breakfast made by my sister, it was time to pack up "Mini Bitchy" and hit the road. Saying goodbye is always the hardest part, and it took me a couple of hours just to get my head back in the right space.
Let me tell you: it was a long, blistering, hot-dang kind of day. Stopping for gas felt like stepping into an oven! Food was another road-trip challenge; I survived on cheese and crackers, plus the grand finale of those scrumptious cocoa-covered cashews I picked up at
By evening, I rolled into the Everhome Suites Wichita Northeast, which I found completely adequate. As I checked in, I noticed almost everyone else in the lobby was part of a local road crew. I seemed to be one of the only women staying there, but the guys were all exceptionally kind and polite.
Dinner was a cozy, no-fuss bowl of butternut squash heated right in my room. My only real complaint? Even though the room was nice and spacious, the pillows definitely left something to be desired in the freshness department!
Day 7, Sept. 19, 2026 - Wichita, KS to Little Rock, AR
I jumped up and got packed as soon as the first light broke. It was sunny and hot early in the day, but I managed a lovely morning walk in a business park behind the hotel, where I happily stumbled onto a quiet path winding by a golf course. It was a pleasant stroll, but my mind—and my excitement—was already miles ahead, focused entirely on reaching my daughter’s house in Little Rock and starting the next chapter of this journey together.
Cruising through Kansas on a smaller highway at 60 mph, I passed an Amish woman walking along the side of the road on what I figured was a hot afternoon errand. I couldn't help but wonder how she was handling the intense heat with the heavy "swoosh" of cars flying past her. And then... drama unfolded. A buggy suddenly cut across the highway—a traditional dress, a horse briefly rearing up, and the woman driver handling that wagon with absolute, master-level grace. Amazing stuff to witness!
Soon, I was rolling into familiar territory—places layered with memories and that comforting, grounding feeling of home. I stopped in Joplin at a casino Phil and I used to frequent, this time just to use the restroom, but on a whim, I dropped $20 into the Yeti machine. Sure enough, it handed me $80 right back before I got back on my way. A very good day indeed! Later, while driving through Missouri, I spotted a nice stretch by the river, pulled over, and got in a hot but beautiful walk.
Before you knew it, I had crossed into Arkansas and pulled up to Nicole’s house. Unloading the car was an eye-opener: holy moly, a whole lot of stuff is staying right here. I officially overpacked and realized I need to rethink my strategy. I had packed for crisp autumn weather, completely underestimating how fierce this summer heatwave would be!
To my absolute delight, James joined Nicole and me for dinner at one of our shared favorites—a spot I visit almost every time I'm in town,
The evening mugginess outside made a traditional walk feel entirely impossible, so Target and the dollar store promptly stepped in as our air-conditioned exercise tracks. Finally, it was off to bed, filled with anticipa................tion.
We are on our way to New York tomorrow! Holy Moly!!!!
While this junk journal started as a personal memory keeper, I’m sharing it simply because making it has been too much fun! From here on out, Nicole and I will be staying up each night to work on our journals—right up until we officially pass out from sheer exhaustion after our wonderful, busy days.
Steps 9/19 - 11,574 3.99 miles
Stay tuned for Part 2, coming very soon!
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